Acrylic paints are fun to work with because of its ability to create textures and use different media to create 3D effects. However, since acrylic paints use polymers as binders, they have sheen since polymers are chemicals used to create plastics. Acrylics when painted on facing pages of a binded paper have the tendency to stick to each other when closed thus causing some parts to be peeled or totally destroyed.

If you are after a matte effect and you want to paint on binded papers, something you can bring while traveling while keeping the spirit of an acrylic painter, matte acrylic paints are the best option of you.Golden Artist Colors and Liquitex offers matte acrylic paints. So far I have tested Golden SoFlat Matte Acrylics which were manufactured by Golden Artist Colors and are made in the USA.

Properties

The properties of Golden SoFlat Matte Acrylics includes but not limited to

• Thick and fluid – Golden SoFlat Matte Acrylics are contained in a plastic jar and you can pour it on a palette since its fluid or scoop it out.
• Easy to mix colors – Just like any other Golden Artist Colors, it’s easy to mix colors.
• Odorless – No worries if you have asthma or weak lungs, Golden SoFlat Matte Acrylics are odorless and will not hurt your nose and lungs when using it.
• Color and viscosity are adjustable with water – You can simply use water to adjust the colors of the matte acrylic paints.
• Matte and flat when dried – As promised, it is completely matte as well as flat which means there is less texture like the heavy body acrylic paints.
• Cannot be reactivated when dried. Once the acrylic paints are dried, there’s now need to worry if it will be affected by the new layer of paints, it will not be reactivated.

Challenges

The big difference between the common vs matte acrylic paints is the ability to create texture as I have mentioned above. At first I found it hard to use matte acrylic paints and it’s like fighting with the paints and I almost gave up. Compared to the common acrylic paints, I find it hard to blend matte acrylic paints in the paper unlike common acrylic paints, as long as they are wet, you can easily play with blending on the canvas.

The second challenge is it’s hard to manage thick paint. I get used to common acrylic paints that the thicker you apply, the more fun working on it. For my case, things get sloppy when thick paint is applied. By watching tutorials on gouache, I realized that the thinner you apply, the more manageable it becomes. Then you can adjust by applying layer after layer.

Third challenge is the brush to use. I tried to use some watercolor brush. It works but somehow I went back using my Bociani e Bonazzi paint brushes from Italy. I feel more at home using it and it works especially on dry brushing. Bociani e Bonazzi have a softer brushes for watercolors and I am looking forward to testing it soon.

Giving it another try

It just so happened that I ran out of canvas and I want to keep on painting. Seeing that using Golden SoFlat Matte Acrylics on Strathmore Toned Tan is my only option, I gave it another try. I just made a simple painting of hammerhead sharks and I liked the outcome. I also made a few series to check if it really works, and yes it did and I was able to make a vlog of painting a manta ray. I realized that it is through simple steps and continuous practice that I will get to learn how to use Golden SoFlat Matte Acrylics. I am also lucky that I was able to choose Strathmore Toned Tan because it worked well with Golden SoFlat Matte Acrylics. Another technique that worked for me is to think that I am creating an Illustration rather than a painting and that each thin detail matters.

Will I recommend Golden SoFlat Matte Acrylics?

Yes 100%! If you love both painting and illustration, try Golden SoFlat Matte Acrylics. You can just start with the Pop Color set and study mixing colors. Golden SoFlat Matte Acrylics is fun to work with and requires less resources. Do not forget to use Strathmore Toned Tan 9 x 12 in, 50 sheets because it is big enough for you to move your hands freely on the paper.

Enjoy matte acrylic painting!

Theme: Nautical; Manta Ray

In this painting I chose Manta Ray because of its giant and yet friendly nature. Manta Rays live symbiotically with other marine animals as it gives them protection against predators. I was also impressed by how they glide in waters and being playful with humans. Research claims that Manta Rays are intelligent because of the size of their brains.

From an art perspective, I like the manta rays’ triangular simple form, smooth body and black color. Fishes are often attractive because of their colors but for the manta rays, they are black and somehow look sinister because of their horn-like cephalic fins.

Tools:

• Golden SoFlat Matte Acrylics
• Naphtol Red | Rouge de Napthol Clair PR112
• Cadmium Primrose | Primevere de Cadmium PY35
• Ultramarine Blue | Bleu d’Outremer (Mixture / Melange)
• Titanium White | Blanc de Titane
• Black | Noir PBk7
• Payne’s Grey | Gris de Payne (Mixture / Melange)
• Strathmore Toned Tan 9 x 12 in, 50 sheets